Control mechanism for milling machines



L. F. NENNING ER ET AL 2,393,928 CONTROL MECHANISM FOR MILLING MACHINES Filed Dec. 20, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TORS,

- ATTORNEY.

Jail.

WAN

Jan. 29, 1946. 1., F. NENNINGER ET AL 8 CONTROL MECHANiSM FOR MILLING MACHINES File d Dec. 20, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 4:

ATTORNEY.

Jan. 29, 1946. L NENNINGER ETAL 2,393,928

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR MILLING MACHINES Filed Dec. 20, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS,

11*..9 1274, A: Z0 7 .722 ZiT ZZVE. 4

Patented Jan. 29, 1946.

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR MILLING MACHINES Lester F. Nenningcr and Fred A. Hassman, Cincinnati, Ohio, asslgnors to The Cincinnati Millin: Machine 00., Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio application December 20, 1943, Serial No. 515,046 15 on (on. 90--21i This invention relates to machine tools and is particularl directed to improvements in feed and rapid traverse control mechanism for effecting the relative movement of the cutter and work in milling machines.

It is, therefore, one of the objects of this inven tion to provide improvements in a feed and rapid traverse control mechanism for a milling machine.

operated control mechanism under automatic dog control and a plurality of uniformly opera tive manual controls, in which the hydraulic control mechanism may be operated directly by one of the manual control means and also by a second. manually operated remote control means, the latter of. which in turn may be rendered effective my still a third manually operated remote control means, all which controls are suitably interconnected to prevent inadvertent operation of the machine.

Other objects end advantages of the present invention should be readily apparent by reference to the following specification, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings form-- ing a part thereof and it is to be understood that any modifications may be made in the exact structural details there shown and described, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from or exceeding the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings in which like reference numerals indicate like or similar parts:

Figure 1 is a left side elevational view of a typical knee and column type milling machine to which this invention may be applied.

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic showing of a typical feed and rapid traverse control cycle which may be effected with this invention. I

Figure 3 is a fragmentary, enlarged front eletill vational view, indicated by the line 3-3 in Figure 1, of the front of the knee, saddle, and table of the machine Figure s is a fragmentary plan view, partly in section, on the line fi-i of Figures 3 and 6.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary enlarged plan view of the front of the knee, saddle, and table shown in Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical transverse it is a further object to provide an improved m section on the line t-t of Figures 3, 5, '7, and 8. I control apparatus for a milling machine having Figure '2 is an enlarged section on the line i-l a plurality of operating control levers in which of Figure 6. each lever has the same constant uniform operat- Figure 8 is an enlarged section on the line 3-9 in-g characteristics in eflecting actuation of each of Figure 8. machine member individually, or any group or it l igure's is a diagram illustrating the feed machine members simultaneously. and rapid traverse drive to the work carrying Still another object is to provide an improved members and associated hydraulic control mech= hydraulically operated control mechanism under anism. automatic or manual actuation for effecting the As an example of a machine tool which has a feed and rapid traverse movements of a milling 20 plu y 0f different c ct Wor ca ry n machine which is highly sensitive, rapid and members which are to be moved at varying rates accurate in operation and which requires a minirelative to a cutting tool, there is illustrated a mum of uniform eflort on the part oi the opermilling machine, Figure 1, having a base i upon ator, when actuated manually. which is integrally mounted the usual column 2 And another object is to provide a. hydraulically 25 in which is journaled the cutter spindle 3. On

suitable guideways 3 is vertically reciprocably mounted the fence 5 and on topoi which, on appropriate guideways t, is slidably mounted the saddle i for horizontal movement in and out with respect to the cchunn 2 On top or the saddlev l slidahly mounted on guideways ii is the work table ii which also is movable horizontally but transverse to the direction oi relative movement of the saddle on the knee.

The main driving power for operating the machine is preferably derived from a prime mover or main drive motor is suitably mounted on a sup porting plate it attached to the column 2 of the machine and which has a driving pulley i2 over which operate suitable belts it to convey powe from the motor iii to the main drive pulley it. The work spindle t is driven from the pulley it through a suitable change speed transmission located in the column 2 as indicated generally at l5, but, since this transmission forms no part of the present invention, a further detailed description thereof will not be undertaken.

Power for eil'ecting the feed and rapid traverse movements in the knee Ii, the saddle i, and the table a is also derived from the main drive motor it which is normally continuously operating when the machine is in use. On an extension a of the pulley II is fixed a gear it which is continuously rotated by the motor It and which gear, in turn, drives a mating gear l'l carried on a shaft l8 journaled in the column 2 of the machine. On the outer end of the shaft I8 is fixed a suitable bevel gear l8 which drives a mating bevel gear 28 fixed to a stub shaft 2| journaled'in the column 2, upon the upper end of which is a gear 22 which is in mesh with another gear 23 journaled against, axial movement in the column 2 and from which downwardly extends a splined drive shaft 24 rigidly connected to the gear 23 so that it may be rotated thereby but held against axial movement with respect to the column 2.

The downwardly extending drive shaft 24 slidingly engages in a suitably splined bore in a gear 25, Figure 9, journaled against axial movement in the knee so that the gear may be at all times driven from the main drive motor In for any position of relative movement of the knee up i and down on the ways 4 of the column 2. It will be noted that the gear 25, in turn, drives a gear 26 fixed on a stub shaft 21 journaled in the knee 5, upon which shaft is also fixed a bevel gear 28 which drives a mating bevel gear 28 fixed to the power input shaft 38 of the knee transmission.

By connecting power from the shaft 38 directly to the knee, saddle and table elements, rapid traverse movements are thus effected in these members and by taking power from the shaft 38 through a change feed transmission or feed box a series of desired slower feed rates for these' members may thus be effected. The rapid traverse power takeoff from the shaft 38 consists ofproviding a multiple disc friction clutch 3| which may be connected or disconnected in driving relationship with the shaft 38 by its actuating spool 32, whereupon a gear 33, normally freely journaled for rotation relative to the shaft 38, may

be connected or, disconnected in driving relationship with the shaft 38. Driving power from the gear 33 is transmitted to a gear 34 fixed to an intermediate shaft 35 journaled in the knee 5 to which is also rigidly fixed in driving relation-' ship with the gear 34, a gear 35 which drives the common feed and rapid traverse gear 31 carried on an appropriate shaft 38 journaled in the knee 5 of the machine.

Feed driving power takeoff is provided by the gear 38 fixed on the drive shaft 38 which, through appropriate gearing indicated generally at 48, drives the feed boxtransmission 4| so as to effect a plurality of relatively slow predetermined feeding rates for the output shaft 42 of the feed box. The shaft 42 is connected to drive the gear posed upon the normal feed drive by engagement of the clutch 3| to accelerate the actuated work carrying member at a rapid traverse speed and then the rapid traverse movement may be discontinued and the feed automatically take up a slow feeding movement for these members.

Feed and rapid traverse-power may be transl mitted from the common gear 31, Figure 9, in reversible directions to, or disconnected from,

the knee, saddle, and table work feeding membars. The gear 31 is in driving connection with a gear 44 fixed to a shaft 45 appropriately journaled in the knee 5 to which is also fixed in driving relationship a similar gear 45. The gear 44 drives, through a gear 41 fixed on the table drive shaft 48 journaled in the knee 5, a gear 48 journaled on the saddle cross feed screw shaft 58, while the gear 46 on the shaft 45 directly drives a gear 5| also journaled on the cross feed screw shaft 58. Thus, it can be seen that the gears 48 and 5| may be rotated at the same speed but in opposite directions. A suitable reversing clutch 52 fixed to the cross feed screw shaft 58 may be engaged in the conventional manner with the gear 48 or the gear 5| or moved to a neutral position to connect driving power for rotating the It will be noted also that the gear 48 drives a gear 53 while the gear 5| drives a gear 54, both of which gears 53 and 54 are journaled on the elevating drive shaft 55 and may be connected in driving relationship therewith or disconnected therefrom by means of an appropriate reversing clutch 56, so that the shaft 55 having a bevel gear 56a driving the elevating screw 51 associated with the elevating nut 58 fixed to the base of the machine may effect raising and lowering of the knee 5 on the column 2.

The knee 5 may be raised and lowered manually, Figure 9, by means of the hand crank 58 on the hand actuating shaft 58 having a gear 5| which drives a gear 52 fixed to the shaft 55. Also, the saddle cross feed screw 58 for moving the saddle in and out may beactuated manually by means of a suitable hand wheel 63 fixed on the saddle cross feed screw 58.

The work table 8 is driven from the gear 41 fixed to the table drive shaft 48, the shaft 48 being provided with appropriate splines slidable in driving relationship in a mating bore of a bevel gear 64 to permit driving of this bevel gear for any position of relative movement of the saddle on the knee. The gear 54 drives a mating bevel gear 65, Figure 6, appropriately journaled on suitable bearings 65 in the saddle 1 of the machine and through a suitable interlocking driv-.

ing connection 51 drives a bevel pinion 68 appropriately journaled in suitable bearings 69 in the saddle 1.

The bevel gear 68 is in continuous driving relationship with the reversing bevel pinions 18 and 1|, Figure-9, which are appropriately journaled in suitable bearings 12 against axial movement in the saddle 1. In between the bevel gears 18 and 1| is a reversing clutch 13 which is axially slidable in driving relationship on the table feed screw 14 so that one or the otherof the bevel gears 18 or 1| may be connected to rotate the screw 14 or moved to a neutral position to arrest rotation thereof. The screw 14 is journaled against axial elevating the knee and for reversing this power is accomplished by manipulating the vertical movement control lever 15, Figures 1 and 9, appropriately mounted on'a rock shaft 15 carried in the knee which actuates the shifter rod 11 connected to the reversing and stop clutch 56. The saddle cross travel is similarly put into motion, stopped,

or reversed, by means of the saddle control handle 19, Figures 1, 3, 5, Band 9, appropriately mounted on a suitable rock shaft 19 also journaled in the knee 8 and which actuates a shifter rod 88 connected to the clutch 82.

The connecting or disconnecting or the clutch member I8, Figures 6 and 9, for eflecting the and has on its inner end ball-shaped projection 88 operating in a bore 84 of an actuating cam member 88 fixed to the vertically mounted trip plunger 88 Journaled in suitable bearings 81 and 88 for both vertical -reciprocating movement and rocking movement in the saddle The control lever 8| has a series of five operative positions as best shown in Figure 3 comprising a neutral or inoperative position 89, a feed right position 98, a rapid'traverse right position 9|, feed left posi-v tion 92, and a rapid traverse left position 93. The cam member 88 has a lug portion 94 which operates in a stop portion 98 in the clutch actuating lever 98 pivotally mounted on a suitable pin 91 carried in the saddle 1 and having a portion 98 operating in a suitable slot 99 in the shifter rod I88 axially slidable in the knee 5. On the rod I88 is mounted a shifter fork |8| engaging the clutch spool 13 so that when the lever 8| is moved from the position 89 to positions 98 or 82 the clutch member 18 will likewise be moved to engage bevel gear H or I8 respectively to institute feed movement to the right or left for the work table 8 upon rotation of the screw M by the bevel gears 18 or I When the. control lever 8| is moved from position 98 to position 9|, or from position 92 to potion 99, rapid traverse movements are transmitted to the gears '88 and H for rapid actuation of the screw M. These movements of the handleiil actuate the rapid traverse clutch 9|, Figure 9, through a specially arranged hydraulic actuating and control system. The vertical movement of the lever 85 in'the positions 989| or 92-93 efiect corresponding vertical axial reciprocating movement in the trip plunger 88 which movement is conveyed by any suitable means such as the mechanism illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 9, comprising the bell crank lever 682 having one arm operating in a notch 13 formed in the trip plunger 88 and the other arm operating in a notch B99 in the actuating rod "35, the other end of which rod has a notch |88.in which one arm of the. bell crank lever i8! operates and its other arm operating in the notch I88 formed in the plunger Hi9 oi the main fluid pressure control valve H8 for the rapid traverse movements. The control lever 8| may also be moved from position 9| to 98 or vice versa so as to effect reversal of the rapid traverse movement.

The various positions 89, 98, 9|, 92 and 98 for the handle 8| are controlled by detent mechanism illustrated particularly in Figures 6, 7 and 8. On the bottom portion of the trip plunger 88 is fixed a detent cam III for controlling the rapid traverse positions 9| and 93 for the control lever 8| and fixed on the plunger 88 directly below this cam is an associated detent cam 2 for driving of the table feed screw ll in one direcpawl m carried on a suitable pivot m and actuated by a suitable spring ||8 carried in the saddle of the machine, Figures 7 and 8. It will be noted that the cam 2 has three positions, 990, 98a and 92a. corresponding to the three positions 89, 98 and 92. The detent cam III has two positions, 9|a and 98a, corresponding to the two rapid traverse positions 9| and 98. It will also be noted that on the detent cam III is a peak portion 9 which obscures the portion 88a of the cam 2 so that the control lever cannot be stopped at an intermediate or neutral position while in rapid traverse position 9l-99 andthus prevent operation of the machine in this position. The up and down'posltions 98-92 and 9|--9I of the lever 8| maintained by a suitable ball detent 8a, Figure 9, operating in appropriate slots H1 and H8 in the valve plunger I88 serves to position the lever 9| in its vertical movements. These various detents I, 2 and Illa will obviously cause automatic load-and-flre shifing or the handle 8| to any of its five operative positions, upon initiation of the movement by the handle 8|, and will maintain the handle 8| in any of its shifted positions.

Normally, in the operation of a friction type rapid traverse clutch, of the character of the clutch 3| by direct manual effort, it has been found that a great variation in the effort required to engage or disengage the clutch is presout when the knee is traversed up or down and when the saddle or table are connected for the traversing motion. This, of course, is due to the different characteristics and direction of movement of the various work carrying members of the milling machine. For instance, in rapid traversing the knee 5 upwardly, a relatively great pressure is required in the friction clutch 8| to hold it in proper engagement to efiect rapid traverse movement and to then disconnect it whereas in lowering the knee at relative traverse movement, little efiort is needed to actuate this clutch 3|. Likewise, the saddle and table members being of different weight and character of movement require a still different type or manual operation of the clutch 8| to hold it in proper engagement or to disengage it with the desired accuracy of stopping as is particularly required when moving the work and cutter into proper cutting position. This condition of manual variation in the control characteristics is especially apparent when the knee, saddle and tableare to he traversed simultaneously or in pairs in setting up the machine with the selecting levers l5, l8 and hi, Figure 8, all placed in operative positions at the same time.

It is, therefore, the purpose or this invention to provide an actuating mechanism for the rapid traverse clutch 3| which is accurate and positive in engaging and disengaging the clutch 8| regardless of whether the knee, saddle, or table are being rapid actuated, either separately or simultaneously, so that the same characteristics of traverse movement and traverse movement stoppage takes place for these members for any direction of their traverse movement. It is also the purpose to provide this mechanism with characteristics such that the manual manipulation and instituting of this actuating control for the controlling the feed and stop positions 98, 89 and I I 92 for the lever 9|, both of which cams are respectively engaged by the spring urged detent these members or other frictional changes which may result in the machine due to its general structure and adjustment.

In order to obtain these desired results it is I the purpose to actuate the rapid traverse clutch 3| by fluid pressure means controlled from manual operating leverage, such as a lever 8| which actuates the valve plunger I09 of the valve II as set forth above. This main hydraulic control valve 0 functions for purposes of connecting or disconnecting the rapid traverse clutch 3| when feeding power is connected to actuate the table feed screw 14 through the clutch I3. Also in connection with this hydraulic actuating mechanism is provided a supplementary remote control actuated by a handle 9 located on the front of knee 5 which may be manipulated to effect I engagement or disengagement of the rapid traverse clutch 3 I. Thus, when the lever I5 has been actuated to connect driving power with the verti- -cal movement of the knee, rapid traverse movements may be imparted thereto by actuating the lever H9. Similarly, the saddle cross travel movement may be instituted at rapid traverse by The fluid pressure control mechanism controlled by the levers 8|, H9 or I comprises a fluid pressure pump I2I, Figure 9, which is driven I continuously by a suitable prime mover to withdraw fluid from a reservoir I22 through the suction line I23 and deliver pressure continuously in the pressure line I24. A branch line I25 from the pressure line I24 is connected to a suitable relief valve I26 from which exhaust fluid is expelled through the drain line I2I back to the reservoir I22 to maintain a uniform, safe operating pressure in the hydraulic control circuit.

In Figure 9 the various fluid pressure control mechanisms are shown in the operating position when the control lever 8| is in the rapid traverse 3 right position 9| for the work table 9, at which time the clutch I3 is engaged with the bevel gear II for rotating the screw 14 for right hand movement of the table 9.

When the lever 8| is moved into the position 9| the plunger I09 of the main control valve H0 is moved to its downward position as shown in Figure 9. Fluid pressure is then transmitted from the line I24 through the branch line I28 into the port I29 of the remote control valve I30 which has a plunger I3| appropriately connected for operation by the lever II9. An annular groove I32 is provided in the plunger |3| which connects port I29 with port I33 to which is connected line I34, the plunger I3I of the valve I30 being normally held in the position shown in Figure 9 by a spring I35 which urges the plunger against a stop surface I3B. Pressure is thus transmitted from the line I24 to the line I34 under these conditions and is thus connected to a port I31 of the main control valve 0 and passes through the annular groove I38 formed in the valve plunger I09 and then to the port I39 to which is connected the line I40 connected to the port I4| of the valve I30. This port I4I., under these conditions, is connected through the annular groove I42 to the port I43 of the valve I30 to which is connected the line I44 connected to the engaging aaaaoas cylinder I 48 of the rapid traverse clutch actuating piston I48 to which is connected a suitable shifter yoke I41 for operating the rapid traverse clutch spool 32. Discharge from the rapid traverse clutch disengaging cylinder I48 passes out through the line I49 to the port I50 in the valve IIO, then through the annular groove |5| in the valve plunger I09 through the drain port I52 into the drain line I21 and thereby return to the fluid reservoir I22. In this way the rapid traverse clutch 3| is engaged by fluid pressure in the cylinder I when the lever 8| is moved to position 9|. Obviously, when the lever 8| is in position 93 it is in the same upward position 9I-33 as the position 9| with the same conditions prevalling to maintain the rapid traverse clutch 3| in engagement but with the reversing clutch I3 then in engagement with the gear I0 for the opposite direction of rotation of the table feed screw 14.

When the lever 8| is moved back into non-rapid traverse positions 90 or 92, or in the neutral position 89, the valve plunger I09 is then moved upwardly so that under these conditions fluid pressure from the line I24 is still transmitted through the valve I30 as described into the line I34. The line I34 is nowconnected through port I31 of valve IIO, the annular groove I38 of the valve plunger I09 to the port I50 of the valve 0 and then through the line I49 to the rapid traverse clutch disengaging cylinder I48 so as to disengage the rapid traverse clutch 3|. Fluid discharge from the engaging cylinder I45 will pass out through the line I44 and through the valve I30 into the line I40 to the port I39 in valve I I0 which at this time is connected through the exhaust port I53 of the valve into thedrain line I21 for return of the fluid to the reservoir I22.

Rapid traverse movements may be effected in the knee and saddle by means of the lever 0 when the engaging and reversing levers I5 or I3 respectively are manipulated to connect the drive to these members. Under these conditions the control lever 8 I for the table is normally in its neutral position 89 and therefore the valve plunger I09 with the valve III) is in its upward position, Figure 9; At this time the control lever I I 9 may be actuated to its rapid traverse position I53a, thereby shifting the plunger |3| of the remote control valve I30 so that fluid pressure from the line I24 and line I28 enters port I29 in the valve and passesthe annular groove I42 of the valve plunger I3I to the port I43 and then out through the line I44 to the rapid traverse clutch engaging cylinder I45 to actuate the rapid traverse clutch 3| connecting the rapid driving power to the knee or saddle in either direction depending upon the setting of the respective levers I5 and I8. Exhaust fluid-at this time passes out from the disengaging cylinder I48 through line I49 to the port I50 of the valve I I0, then through the annular groove I38 of the valve stem I09 to the port I3'I of this valve out through the line I34 to the port I33 in the remote control valve I30. At this time the annular groove I32 of the valve plunger I3I is connected to an exhaust port I54 of the valve I30 which is connected to the drain line I2I for return of fluid exhaust from the cylinder I48 to the reservoir I22. Release of the lever II9 when in the rapid traverse position I53 permits it to automatically return to the normal position shown in Figure 9 under the influence of the actuating spring I35. Thus the rapid traverse clutch 3| may be operated by the lever H9 in such a way that the eflort required to a,ses,eae

actuate the lever I I9 is very small and a nicety of control of the clutch 3I can thus be readily obtained. Furthermore, the effort required to operate the lever I I9 is substantially the same as that required to operate the lever 9| from position -92 to position 9I93 or return so that both of these rapid traverse initiating levers have the same operating characteristics.

It is important to note that the two control valves H0 and I30 are interlocked to prevent any improper operation of the machine in the event both of the control levers 9i or II9 are operated simultaneously. For example, should the lever II be in position 9I or 93 and the lever II9 operated to its rapid traverse position I53, no inadvertent operation would take place as, under these conditions, pressure from the line I24 and I23 enters the valve I30 through the port I29 and goes out through the port I43 into line I44 to move the rapid traverse clutch 3i into connected position, but since this operation has already been effected by the valve IIO there would be no readjustment of the parts as previously set by the The drain line I49 from the control lever 8|. disengaging cylinder I40 ofthe rapid traverse clutch 3| would likewise be connected to port- I50 of valve H0 and through the annular groove II of valve stem I09 ttfthe exhaust port I52. Also line I40 at this time is closed off at port I4I of valve I30 and its other end is connected to port I39 of valve I I0 which, through the channel I38 of valve plunger I09, is connected to the line I34 connected to port I33 in valve I30 which at this time is connected through the channel I32 to the exhaust port I54. Thus, no inadvertent action takes place in these two hydraulic valves H0 and I30, whether one or both are operated simultaneously.

Usually, in the operation of a milling machine it is desirable to operate the various work carrying members from a position at the front of the machine for certain types of work and from a position at the rear of the work table and adjadescribed. When the lever I20 of the second remote control valve I53 is released the plunger of the cylinder I59 which might otherwise impede its proper operation.

It is to be noted that the two valves I 30 and I59 are properly interconnected to prevent improper operation of the machine in the event both of the control levers H9 and I20 are actuated at the same time. For instance, if the lever I I9 is in the rapid traverse position I53 and the lever I20 is also moved to its rapid traverse position no improper operation will result since it will merely be a matter of adding fluid pressure in the chamber I61 to the manual pressure applied by the lever H9 in holding the valve plunger I3I down against the spring I35. Likewise, the lever II9 cannot be moved to inoperative or non-rapid traverse position unless the lever. I20 is also in its inoperative position becent the left side of the column when doing other types of work pieces which cannot be properly observed from the normal operating position in the front of the machine. In order to provide additional facilities for initiating the rapid traverse movement from a position at the rear of the machine, the control lever I20 is provided which is mounted on a rock shaft I55, Figures 1 and 9, journaled at the rear of the knee 5 of the machine and carrying on its inner end a suitable actuating cam I56 engaging the end of a valve plunger I51 of a second remote control valve I56. The lever I20 normally is in an inoperative position, as shown. effected by the compression spring I59 of the valve I58 which urges its plunger normally downward as shown in Figure 9 against the cam I56 to hold the lever I20 in the inoperative position. When the lever I20 is moved to the rapid traverse position I60, Figure 1, the plunger I51 of the valve I59 will be moved so as to permit fluid pressure from the line I24 and I6I connected to the port I62 of this valve to pass through the annular groove I63 of the plunger I51 to the exhaust port I64 and then out through the line cause of the continuous -''application of fluid pressure in the chamber I61 so long as the lever I20 is in rapid traverse position. It-is furthermore obvious that the control lever I20 operates with a very minimum of effort since it is merely a 'matter of manipulating the plunger I51. to institute the rapid traverse movement so that here again the control lever I20 forms a nicety of easy control for the various work moving devices of the machine independent of an variations of power required in moving these members.

It is frequently desirable in machine tools and especially milling machines to have an automatic operating cycle for the work table 9 of the machine. In Figure 2 is illustrated one example of an automatic work cycle which may be effected in the work table 9, it being understood that any variety and sequence of operations may readily be performed by this arrangement without departing from the spirit of the invention. Referring particularly to Figures 3, 5 and 6, the trip plunger 69 is actuated in rocking and up and down axial movement in a predetermined cycle of operation for the machine by the movement of the work table 9. Assuming the work has been properly placed on the table 9 and the cutter spindle 3 started, the operator then moves the control lever 9| out of its neutral position 99 through the feed position 92 up into the rapid traverse position 93 to effect rapid traverse movement of the table 9 toward the left. This motion continues until a feed dog "I, appropriately fixed to the table 9 by a T-slot bolt "la in the T-slot I1Ib of the table, has its angular surface I12 engage the actuating tongue I13 of the trip plunger 36. This action raises the plunger 96 upwardly and correspondingly returns the handle 6| from position 93 to position 92 and raising the valve plunger I09 of valve II 0 to thus disengage the rapid traverse clutch 3I, stopping the rapid traverse movement of the table 9. The overrunning clutch 43 takes up the drive of the table 9 from the feed box 4I to initiate the movement of the table at a feeding rate during which time the actual cutting is being performed on a work piece mounted on the table. After the work surface has been machined, a second rapid traverse dog I14 carried appropriately on the table 8 by a T-slot bolt I14a in the T-slot "It has its cam surface I18 again engage the actuating tongue I18 of the plunger 88 to again depress it, moving the lever 8| from position 82 to position 88, again operating the rapid traverse clutch 8| as described. Thus, a rapid movement is again instituted in the table 8. Of course, this intermittent feed and rapid traverse movement may be initiated any desired number of times and for any desired periods of application by providing the appropriate number 01'- trip dogs "I and I14 in instances where intermittent cutting and traversing are required.

At the completion of the last feeding motion and return to rapid traverse 'as caused by the dog I14, table 8 then continues to proceed to the left at a rapid rate until the reversing trip dog I18 fixed to the table 8 by T-slot bolt I18a engages the end I11 the wing portion I18 of the trip plunger 88, 'thus rocking the plunger from the position I18, Figure 5, to the position I88; this motion being assisted in load-and-flre fashion by the rapid traverse detent III shown in Figure '1, moving lever 8| into position 8|. The table 8 then returns rapidly to the right at a rapid traverse rate until-the upper tongue portion I8I of the plunger 88 engages the return feed dog I82 mounted on the table 8 by a T-slot bolt I82a in the T-slot I82b, its cam surface I83 raising the plunger 88 moving the control lever 8| from position 8| to position 88. The rapid traverse movement of the table thus stops, permitting the table 8 to continue to feed to the right until the stop dog I84 fixed to the table 8 by T-slot bolt I84a in the T-slot I82b engages the end I85 of the wing portion I18 rocking the trip plunger 88 to the neutral position 88 with the aid of the notched portion 88a of the feed detent cam I I2, Figure 8. 7

Thus, is illustrated a representative type of automatic cycle of actuation of feed and rapid traverse movements and it will be apparent that in order to institute these movements efflciently, accurately, and without damage to the machine it is necessary to provide mechanism which is free from the influence of variations in the frictional resistance in the movement of the work carrying member of the machine-and independent of the variations caused by difierent types of work pieces being machined. It is, therefore,

1 found that with the above described hydraulic control mechanism for instituting and stopping the rapid traverse mechanism in association with such automatic trip operated control mechanism, a most satisfactory and emcient automatic control for the machine may be provided.

The actuation of the trip plunger 88 in up and down sliding movement to initiate the rapid traverse movement or to stop it effects the actuation of the plunger I 88 of the control valve I I8. Actuating this mechanism obviously requires a very minimum of mechanical effort and therefore a minimum of friction loss is present and a mechanism of sensitive response to the rapid and easy operation of the plunger 88 in up and down movement results, since this movement of the plunger 88 does not directly apply power for actuating the rapid traverse clutch 3|. Therefore, variations in force required to operate the rapid traverse clutch have no eflect on the uniformity of operation of the trip plunger 88 under any and all operating conditions.

In order to effect a still more rapid, positive and sensitive operation of this hydraulic control mechanism the valve H8 is arrang d with 8 ascaaas hydraulic load-and-flre actuating mechanism so that upon initiation of movement of the trip plunger 88 up or down by the trip dogs "I, I14 or I82, the valve will be rapidly moved to its other position under fluid pressure and will likewise which form pistons operating in an enlarged cylinder bore I8I formed in the valve I I8.

Taking, for example, the case where the valve I88 is in a rapid traverse position and it is to be moved to a non-rapid traverse position, either by the lever 8| or by one of the trip dogs to stop rapid traverse movement, fluid pressure from the pump I2I passing through the valve I88 into the line I84 enters the port I81 of the valve 'I I8 and V the annular groove portion I88 of the valve plunger I88 and through the passageways I88, I81 andy|81a of the valve plunger I88 into the chamber I88 formed between the spools I88 and I88. Normally with the valve plunger I88 in a fully operative position as shown in Figure 9, the pressure from the annular groove I88 will be distributed to the port I8"; and also to the intermediate port I88 both of which are connected-to a passageway I82 formed in the valve II8. Fluid pressure will be delivered from the passageway I82 to a communicating port I84 from which it enters the annular groove I8Ia formed in the valve stem I88 on the opposite side of the valve spool I88 from the annular groove I88. This fluid pressure acting on the outside area of the spool I88 which is somewhat greater than the normal area of the plunger I88 at the other end of the annular groove I 8Ia serves to maintain'the plunger I88 in downwardly shifted position as shown in Figure 9. Thus, no movement will be effected in the plunger I88 at this time. Drainage from the annular groove I88a formed in the valve plunger I88 on the opposite side of the spool I88 from the annular groove I88 is conducted out through an exhaust port I88b to the drain line I21. Also, at this time the drainage ports I210: associated with the annular groove I8|a on the other side of the spool I88 are closed of! from escape of fluid into the line I21.

As the valve plunger I88 is moved against the fluid pressure in annular groove I8Ia the spool I88 will momentarily close the port I84, thus cutting off the pressure in this annular groove I8Ia and also this movement will cause spool I88 to momentarily close port I8 Ib, thus confining pressure to the annular groove I88 between the spools I88 and I88, there being no pressure on the outer sides of either of the spools during the intermediate travel of the valve plunger I88. Further movement of the plunger I88 will ultimately expose the-port I84 to the annular groove I88 and the port I8Ib to the annular groove I88a on the outside of the spool I 88 so that pressure will thus be applied from the annulangroove I88 through the ports I84 and I83 to passageway I82 and thus out through the port I8Ib to further rapidly, actuate the valve to its new position and maintain it there under hydraulic pressure due to the difference in the areas of the outside of the spool I88 and the plunger I09 adjacent the annular channel lllia. Fluid from behind the spool I89 in the annular groove iBla will be expelled out through the drain ports I2'Ia now exposed to the annular groove Illa from which it is discharged into the drain line I21. Similarly, the reverse operation takes place as the valve is moved downwardly, in which case pressure transfer would again be applied behind the spool I89. as the valve moved downwardly through its intermediate position and relieved from behind the spool I90 for rapid fluid pressure actuation of the valve plunger as described. In this way hydraulic load-and-flre movement of the control valve plunger I! is obtained for rapidly and accurately initiating or stopping the rapid traverse movements for the table 8.

Thus, is provided in a machine tool, having a plurality of movable members requiring diil'erent degrees of effort to move them, a control mechanism to eilect feed or rapid traverse movements in any oi these members with a minimum of effort and a high degree of accuracy or control and which may be operated manually or by automatic means in a predetermined cycle of operation.

What is claimed is:

1. In a milling machine having a knee, saddle, and table, a main driving motor, a cutter spindle,

3. In a machine tool having a plurality of movable members for eflecting relative movement 0! work and tool, a prime mover, actuable means for selectively efl'ecting movement in each of said members, a change feed transmission, an overrunning clutch interconnected between said change feed transmission and said selective actuable means, direct driving means from said prime mover to. said selective actuable means. fluid pressure operated means for connecting or disconnecting said direct driving means from said prime mover, fluid pressure control means for said fluid pressure operated means operable with uniform eflort for any member of said machine selected to be operated, and a second fluid presv sure remote control means operable at a remote point from said first-mentioned control means for rendering said connecting and disconnecting means eflective.

4. In a machine tool having a plurality of movable members for effecting relative movement of means for connecting said driving motor to rosaddle, and table transmission, a change feed transmission associated with said knee, saddle, and table transmission, means for driving said change feed transmision from said main drive motor, an overrunning clutch interconnecting said change feed transmission and said knee,

saddle and table transmission, whereby the drive from said change feed transmission is automatically rendered ineffective when said rapid traverse transmission is connected to said knee,

saddle, and table transmission, power means for operating said connecting and disconnecting means for the rapid traverse transmission, a plurality of fluid pressure operated remote control means for said power means actuable manually or automatically by the relative movements of said knee, saddle, and table, and fluid pressure conducting means interconnected between each or said remote control meansso as to prevent inadvertent operation of said machine should more than one control means be operated at a time.

2. ,In a milling machine having a knee, saddle, and table. a source or power, actuable mechanism selectively reversibly connectable to said knee, saddle, and table, means for normally actuating said selective mechanism in feeding movement from said source of power, means for superimposing a rapid actuating movement on said selective mechanism for the respective member selected to be actuated, fluid pressure operated means for rendering said last-mentioned means eil'ective or ineffective, a plurality oi fluid pressure control means for said fluid pressure op-' erated means for eflecting rapid movements in each said knee, saddle, or table, and fluid pressure interconnecting mechanism associated with said control means to limit efiectiveness thereof to a single control means at any one time.

work and tool, a prime mover, actuable means for selectively efl'ecting movement in each of said members, a change feed transmission, an overrunning clutch interconnected'between said change feed transmission and said selective actuable means, direct driving means from said prime mover to said actuable means, fluid pressure operated means for connecting or disconnecting said direct driving means from said prime mover, fluid pressure control means for said fluid pressure operated means, a second fluid pressure remote control means operable at a remote point from said first-mentioned control means for rendering said connecting and disconnecting means eflective, and a third fluid pressure remote control means operable to actuate said second fluid pressure control means by fluid pressure.

5. In a milling machine having a knee, saddle. and table, a prime mover, an actuable transmission for said knee, saddle, and table driven by said prime mover, means for reversibly connecting or disconnecting said knee, saddle and table individually or simultaneously to said actuable transmission, means for connecting or disconnecting said prime mover from said actuable transmission, .fluid pressure control means for rendering said last-mentioned connecting and disconnecting means operative or inoperative, a

second fluid pressure remote control means for of said actuable transmission to said knee, saddle,

or table.

6. In a milling machine having a tool spindle and a work table movable relative thereto, a prime mover, means for connecting said prime mover to drive said work spindle, means for apfor positioning said common control means in any of its selected positiona -7. In a milling machine having a tool spindle and a work table movable relative thereto, a

prime mover, means for connecting said prime mover to drive said work spindle, means for ap-- plying power from said prime mover to actuate said worktable at a rapid traverse and a feed rate, means for reversibly. connecting or disconnecting said last-mentioned means relative to said table, fluid pressure operating means to render the means for applying power from the prime mover to the work'table effective, mechanical operating means to render the reversible connecting and disconnecting means effective, common control means including a single operating lever for said fluid pressure and mechanical operating means, and combined mechanical and fluid pressure operated detent mechanism for positioning said common control means in any of its selected positions.

8. In a milling machine having a tool spindle and a work table movable relative thereto, a prime mover, means for connecting said prime mover to drive said work spindle, means for applying power from said prime mover to actuate said work table at a. rapid traverse and a feed rate, means for reversibly connecting'or disconnecting said last-mentioned means relative to said table, fluid pressure operating means to ren-. der the means for applying power from the prime mover to the. work table eflective, mechanical operating means to render the reversible con-' necting and disconnecting means effective, a common single lever control means for said fluid pressure and mechanical operating means, combined mechanical and fluid pressure operated detent mechanism for positioning said common control means in any of its selectable positions, and actu able means associated with said single lever control means rendered effective by the movement of said table to automatically move said control means to'any of its selectable positions.

9. In a milling machine having knee, saddle, and table members, a prime mover providin rapid and slow driving power, and means for actuating said knee, saddle, and table nembers at a rapid'traverse and a feed rate comprising an actuable transmission, an individual connecting and disconnecting means associated with said knee, saddle, and table for separately or collectively interconnecting said machine members to said actuable transmission, means for directly connecting or disconnecting the rapid driving power from said prime mover to said actuable transmission, means for connecting the slow driving power to said transmission from said prime mover, including mechanism automatically operable to render said slow drive ineffective when the rapid direct drive of said prime mover is operating, fluid pressure control means for rendering said rapid driving power connection operative or inoperative, a common operating means for rendering said fluid pressure control means and the individual connecting and disconnecting means associated with the table operable, a separate control means for each of the individual connecting and disconnecting means associated with the knee and the saddle, a second fluid pressure control means for actuating said rapid drive connecting or disconnecting means, and a third remote fluid pressure operated control means for individual or combined actuation of said knee. saddle, and table.

10. In a milling machine having a plurality of work carrying members and a tool spindle, means for actuating said members, at feed and rapid clutch having a control valve therefor, means to,

trip operate said valve from the movement of one of said work carrying members, and a second control valve having connections through the first-mentioned valve to effect operation of said rapid traverse clutch. 4

' 11. In a milling machine havin a plurality of 'work carrying members and a tool spindle, means for actuating said members at feed and rapid traverse rates relative to said tool spindle including a power driven shaft, a feed and rapid traverse transmission driven by said shaft, a rapid traverse clutch for connecting or disconnectin said rapid traverse transmission relative to said shaft, acommon output for said feed and rapid traverse transmission, an overrunning clutch interconnected between said feed transmission and said output shaft, a series of branch transmissions between said common output and said work carrying members, motion interrupting means associated with each of said branch transmissions, a fluid operated shifter for said rapid traverse clutch having a control valve therefor, means to trip operate said valve from the movement of one of said work carrying members, a second control valve having connections through the first-mentioned valve to effect operation of said rapid traverse clutch, a third remote valve for actuating said second control valve by fluid pres- I sure, and hydraulic detent means associated with actuating said second-mentioned fluid pressure pressure control means may be operated simulta-.

neously or individually with uniform effort for each of the fluid pressure control means for any said first-mentioned control valve.

12. In a milling machine having an actuable member for effecting relative movement of work and tool and power means for actuating said member, a clutch for applying or disconnecting said power means relative to said member, a fluid pressure actuable means for operating said clutch, a source of fluid pressure, a main control valve, a second remote control valve, means connecting said source of fluid pressure to said second valve, fluid pressure interconnecting means between said valves, fluid pressure connecting means from said main valve to the fluid presure actuable means for said clutch, and fluid pressure connecting means between said secondmentioned valve and said fluid pressure actuable means for said clutch wherebyeither of said valves may be operated independently or simultaneously without causing inadvertent operation of said machine.

13. In a milling machine having an actuable member for eilecting relative movement of work and tool and power means for actuating said member, a clutch for applying or disconnecting said power means relative to said member, a fluid pressure actuable means foroperating said clutch, a source of fluid pressure, a main control valve, a second remote control valve, a third remote control valve, means connecting said source of fluid pressure to said second and third valves, fluid pressure interconnecting means between said second and main valves whereby said source of fluid pressure is connected to said main valve through said second valve, mechanical means for actuating said main and second valves,

fluid pressure interconnecting means between said second and third valves whereby fluid pressure from said source of pressure is transmitted through said third valve to actuate said second valve with fluid pressure, and means for connecting fluid pressure from said main valve and said second valve to said fluid pressure operating means for said clutch. 1

14. In a milling machine having an actuable member for effecting relative movement of work and tool and power means for actuating said member, a clutch for connecting and disconnecting said power means to said member, fluid pressure means for engaging said clutch to connect said power to said member, fluid pressure means for disengaging said clutch to disconnect power irom said member, a main control valve having a normal operative position, a second control sure to said clutch engaging means when either valve having a normal operative position, a source one or both of said valves are moved out of their IIOZ'XE'J'. 17.1 positions.

, 15. In a milling machine having an actuable member for effecting relative movement of work and tool and power means for actuating said member, a clutch for connecting and disconnecting said power means to said member, fluid pressure means for engaging said clutch to connect said power to said member, fluid pressure means for disengaging said clutch to disconnect power from said member, a main control valve having a normal operating position, a second control valve having a normal operative position, a source of fluid pressure connected to said second valve, fluid pressure conducting means connecting said main valve to the fluid pressure disconnecting means for said clutch, fluid pressure conducting means connecting said second valve to the fluid pressure engaging means for said clutch, and fluid pressure interconnecting means between said valves permitting application of fluid from said source of pressure to the clutch disengaging means when said valves are in normal position while permitting application of said fluid pressure to said clutch engaging means when either one or both of said valves are moved out 01' the normal positions, a third remote control valve having a normal position connected to said source of fluid pressure, and fluid pressure interconnecting means between said third valve and said second valve whereby said second valve may be fluid pressure operated by manipulation of said third valve so that when any one or more of said three valves are moved from their normal positions said fluid pressure means for engaging said clutch will be rendered operative.

LESTER. F. NENNINGER. FRED A. HASSMAN. 

